Criminology - Grangegorman

What is Criminology?

Criminology is an exciting inter-disciplinary subject that draws on sociology, psychology and law to focus on issues such as the causes of crime, the meaning of crime and societal reactions to crime. The MA in Criminology in TU Dublin provides students with a strong theoretical grounding in, and understanding of, contemporary criminological issues as well as advanced training in research skills.



Course Content

Students will be required to complete four core modules, two optional modules and a dissertation.



Core Modules:

• Criminological Theory

• Criminal Justice System

• Criminal Psychology

• Research Methods

• Dissertation



Optional Modules (Students complete two of six optional modules):

• Criminal Law

• Desistance: The Route out of Crime

• Policing and Governance of Security

• Prisons and Imprisonment

• Studies in Victimology and Crime Prevention

• Youth Offending and Youth Justice Perspectives

• Law and technology

Module listing:

Year One

Semester 1

Criminal Justice System [Mandatory]

Criminological Theory [Mandatory]

Research Methods in Criminology [Mandatory]

Criminal Law [Elective]

Law and Technology [Elective]



Semester 2

Dissertation [Mandatory]

Criminal Psychology [Mandatory]

Youth Offending and Youth Justice Perspectives [Elective]

Criminal Law [Elective]

Desistance: The Route Out of Crime [Elective]

Studies in Victimology and Crime Prevention [Elective]

Policing and the Governance of Security [Elective]

Deviance, Punishment and Social Control in Modern Ireland [Elective]

Law and Technology [Elective]

Prisons and Imprisonment [Elective]

Masculinities, Care and Equality [Elective]

European Study Trip [Elective]



Year Two

Semester 1

Research Methods in Criminology [Mandatory]



Semester 2

Dissertation [Mandatory]

Minimum Entry Requirements?

Students must normally hold a second class honours degree, higher division (2.2) or higher in the area of social science, law, sociology, psychology or cognate discipline. Please be sure to include transcripts of your final degree award at time of application. If this is not readily available please include transcripts of your academic career to date.



Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic requirements but who have significant relevant professional or vocational experience will also be considered. In addition to the online application form, this latter category of applicants should include two written references with their application and also may be asked to present for interview.



Note: Due to the considerable competition for our postgraduate courses satisfying the minimum entry requirement is not a guarantee of a place. Depending on the course of study, applications will be assessed based on your academic grades and may also take into account your work/life experience. Applicants may also be required to attend for interview for specific courses.

Applications for full-time and some part-time postgraduate programmes commencing in September 2026 are now open. Applications for the remaining part-time programmes will open in February 2026. Please check individual course pages for application details.

Assessment methods include examinations (in January and May/June), written assignments, individual and group presentations and a dissertation.

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on-campus delivery.



Schedule

Full-time students attend lectures two late afternoons/evenings per week and part-time students attend on one late afternoon/evening per week (may require attendance on a second evening depending on the optional module selected in semester two, year 1). Please note lectures for both full-time and part-time students commence at 4pm. Students are required to complete substantial reading and written assignments outside of timetabled class hours. It is strongly recommended therefore that those in full-time employment complete the course on a part-time basis.

Commencement Date: September 2026.

What are my career opportunities?

The course provides an excellent grounding for those seeking to pursue a career in research and/or policy making or for those seeking to pursue higher qualifications (such as MPhil or PhD degrees). The programme is also targeted at those working in, or aspiring to work in, the criminal justice field including lawyers, Gardaí, course officers, social workers, social care workers, psychologists, youth workers and related professionals.